Composite photographic method and apparatus



Aug. 11, 1931. l R, 1 POMERQY 1,818,354

COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Deo. 19, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [5y/MW Z. y Afa/v f77/wc error/N27 Aug. 11, 1931. R. J. PoMERoY 1,818,354

COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 r\l l, 67 a 23 52 M22 z Ty if Ig CAMERA .ifo/neig- Aug. 1l, 1931. R. .1. PoMr-:ROY

COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Deo. 19, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AMP 8 Innen/0r. /oyA figa/n fray W g Sllfffrpo/r/vf g gew/kn?! U lill Patentd Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT 01E-FICE ROY vJ. POMROY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF v MOUNT PUBLIX CORPORATION, CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TO PARA- COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Application led December 19, 1925. Serial No. 76,424.

This invention has to do with that class of photographic methods whereby a composite photograph is produced, apparently placing together in a single picture elements that have been, for instance, actually photographed at different times and places. Although the method and' apparatus herein described are capable of producing still pictures as well as motion pictures, yet because such methods find their greatest present utility in motion pictures, this invention will be hereinafter described as used for that purpose. l,It will `be understood, however, that such specific description is not intended as a limitation upon the invention.

Methods for the production of composite photographs have been known and used for some years, but all prior methods of which I am aware have had certain short-comings, for instance in one or more of thel following particulars; inaccuracy, including lack of exactirregistration; the presence of fringes surrounding the inserted subject; objectionable multiplicity of operations necessary to produce the final results; or the necessity of using a multiplicity of films to reach the nal result. Multiplicity of operations and multiplicity of films, of course increase the liability of final inaccuracy, and printing to and froma multiplicity of films also has a tendency to decrease the distinctness and sharpness of the images and`to coarsen the apparcnt emulsion grain of the final photograph.

It is among the objects of my present ini vention to overcome such difficulties as these and to provide a method whereby such composite pictures may be produced in a com- ,paratively simple manner, with few operations, with the greatest accuracy and with the fina-l production of a most satisfactory photographic representation.. These objects, and others, and corresponding accomplishments ofthe invention, will be best understood from the following detailed description of preferred modes of procedure, which li ygive merely asiilustra'tive of the invention and not limitative thereof; having reference for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, inwhiohiV J `able platinized mirror.

Fig. l is a diagram showing the lay-out of apparatus for my preferred method;

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are views showing films in successive stages of the method;

F 1g. 6 is a diagram showing another layout of apparatus for a modified method;

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10j are views showing films in successive stages of the method carried on with the apparatus of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a plan of the apparatus shown indiagram in Fig- 1; j

Fig. 12 is a detailed section on line 12-12 Ivof Fig. 11;

llof Fig. 12; .l

Fi g. 14 is a detailed section on line 14d-14; of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a detailed section on line 15--15 of Fig. l1;

Fig. 16 is a detailed section on line 16-16 of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 17 is a detailed section on line 17-17 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the lay-out of apparatus for another modified method.

Referring first to Fig. 1 I show therein a light splitting element which, in this particular case, I prefer to make in the form of a vsuit- Such a mirror is indicated diagramniatically at 10. The function of this mirror is partially to reflect and partially to transmit the light coming from the subject or action being taken, and thus to divide that light so that two identic images of that subject or action may be thrown simultaneously upon two actinic films. (I am here speaking from the standpoint of motion pictures particularly; 4presuming that an action for instance is tobe inserted in an unrelated background). These two images, although identi'c as images, are., as I shall explain, made to have different effects upon the two lrns; so that the two films may then be used subsequentlyl Fig. 1. @ne cam-era A. is arranged to v'lake Fig. 13 is a detailed section on line 13-13:

the reflected light from platinized mirror l0, and another camera B is arranged to take the transmit-ted light from that mirror, both cameras, supposing them to be optically 5-identical, being at equal optical distances from the reflective center of the mirror and therefore both cameras projecting identical images upon the actinic films contained in them; except that the image in camera A, due to reflection from mirror l0, is reversed right for left.

Now suppose a desirable background scene has been taken at any time previously and it is desired in a final picture to show a certain action as if it had taken place in that scene. From a negative of the background scene a print is first made onto a fresh actinic film. That film is not at that time developed but the exposed undeveloped film is then put into one of the cameras, say into camera A, with its emulsion side facing the lens as usual. (For convenience in following the description and drawings it may here be stated that the drawings show the various films as they would appear with the emulsion face toward the observer). Fig. 2 shows negative l as it would appear at that time, the latent background ima e being shown in dotted lines. This latent ackground image is a positive, although negative film may be used for the purpose.

At the same time a. fresh negative is put into camera B. Then by simultaneous operation of the two cameras both films are synchronously exposed to the subject or action in the field of view; this subject or action being arranged before a black or non-actinic background so that no light falls upon either of the two films l and 2 except light that comes from the subject or action.

As a result of such exposure, I then have on negative 2 a latent negative image of the subject or action, such latent negative image being of the usual and ordinary kind which, upon final development, will show all desired detail, sharpness, contrast, etc. The remainder of negative 2 has not at this time been exposed at all, but remains simply as fresh film.

At the same time, I have obtained upon negative l another negative image of the subject or action, identic in form and size with that obtained upon negative 2, but relatively reversed right for left; so that when negative 55 2 is subsequently developed the image of the subject or action appears thereon in the relative position shown in Fig. 3. This exposure of negative l to the subject has, however, been of such a nature as to obtain a 60 heavy and substantially opaque, or substantially silhouete, image. This maybe done in practice either by using a comparatively fasi film for negative 1 in camera A, or by relatively cutting down the amount. of light 65 that in camera B forms the image lon negative 2 (relatively operating the diaphragms of the two cameras), or may be wholly or partially done by predetermined characteristics of platinized mirror l0. For instance, mirror 10 may beso platinized that instead of equally transmitting and reflecting light it will either transmit or reflect a larger portion, that larger portion then being used for the formation of the image on negative l. However the result is reached, the matter is so controlled that, simultaneously with the formation of a good negative image on negative 2, there is formed on negative l an image that upon development will give a dense or substantially opaque image of the subject or action.

Negative l upon subsequent development then shows a positive image of the background scene with a reyersed opaque negative image of the subject or action. Then negative l is printed upon negative 2. In performing this printing operation the two negatives are turned face to face; and in that position. when registered, the opaque image on negative l entirely masks out the previously exposed portion of negative 2, covering that portion so that it cannot be further exposed in printing. The result of the printing operation upon negative 2 is then to print from the positive background image of negative l in all parts except those blocked out by the opaque action image; and, upon final development, negative 2- then shows a negative image of the subject or action apparently in or before a negative image of the desired background scene.

It will be noted that in the method I have described there are but two films used after an initial negative of the desired background has been obtained. It will also be noted that the single printing operation is carried on between two films placed face to face. This is due to the fact that the opaque masking image on negative l is reversed with relation to the corresponding image on the other negative; and this, it will be noted, is one of the functions of the light dividing device as used by me. Another thing particularly to be noted is that the opaque blocking image and the positive of the background are both in the same emulsion which, in contact printing, is placed directly against the emulsion face of the final negative, and that thus inaccuracies, fringes, etc., are reduced to a minimum. By the use of only two negatives, inaccuracies, etc., in the final product are very largely minimized and eliminated; but should there be any inaccuracies due to different shrinkings or yexpansions of the two films, those differences may be largely compensated by the use of a simple optical element such as a collective l2 arranged before one of the cameras to slightly Achange the size of the image therein. Or if the printing from negative l to negative 2 be done with a proaov j ection printer, a modification of size between the two films may be easily obtained by using the proper optical apparatus, as will be well understood.

I have explained this method from the standpoint of using av previously taken negative of the desired background and then taking negatives of the subject" or action at the time of formation of the composite picture. However the process may be modified Without changing its fundamentals, so that the negative of the action may be the one to be previously taken, or both the background and the action may be previously taken and the films subsequently used for the purpose of making 'the composite picture. F or instance, suppose we have a previously taken negative of the background and also a previously taken negative of the subject or action before a black background, bot-h developed. Negative l may be prepared as before, with a latent positive image of the background. A positive of the action nega- 8 and lens 7 casts tive may also be prepared and developed. This positive of the action will show the action in ordinary definition surrounded by an opaque ground. Then in a suitablyarranged printing` device (a counterpart of the camera arrangement shown in Fig. l) the action positive may be projected onto the light dividing surface, which will then cast two images of the action as before, one upon the undeveloped negative l and the other upon a fresh negative. Upon development negative l will then appear'as shown in Fig. 3 and a printing of that negative onto negative 2, and subsequent development of negative 2, will show a final negative as in Fig. 5. Fig. 18 shows diagrammatically a suitable apparatus in the form of a projection printer with a light splitting mirror l0. The subject positive 9 is illuminated by lamp an image of positive 9 onto negatives l and 2. Negative l may have had the background previously printed in position on it, as before stated. Or (and this, I may say, is a procedure applicable to the other method herein set out) the original negative film 6 may be placed directly in front of negative l, and being illuminated fromanother source, as lamp 5, is printed onto film l at the same time that positive 9 is printed on it.

Or, as I have noted before, the subject or action film may be one to be rst taken, the film being subsequently exposed to the background in any suitable form. For instance, two negatives, as negatives l and 2, without previous exposure to a backgrqund at all, may be exposed to thesubject or action in the manner, for instance, as depicted in connection'with Figrl, obtaining on these two negaltives respectively a latent and undeveloped ordinary negative of the subject and an opaque negative image of' the subject re- 'tive are used in the folowing versed right for left. The negative with the opaque imageds developed and is then placed in masking position before the other negaf tive', which is still undeveloped, and the rear undeveloped negative is then exposed toY the background in any suitable manner. For instance, it may be exposed in a camera either to an action or background scene, or to a painting or other picture of the desired background scene, or it may be thus exposed in a printer by contact or projection to a film of the background. In such case the background film may either be standard motion picture film or may be comparatively a larger size still negative.

It will further be noted that in making the original background negative in any of these methods, the negative may be made from a picture (photograph, painting, etc) as well as from an actual scene; and that background negative may be either a single still, or a motion picture film including motion. And', as I have also previously indicated, the sube ject to be inserted may be an action or a still, and by going through the process two or more times, a composite background, for instance,may be made, and then a subject or action may be inserted on that background; and such a composite background may, .as desired, involve action in itself. Thus, for instance, two or more actions may be put together as readily as a still background and an action. Y

It will be seen that it is not necessary in my methods to expose one or the other of the films in a camera to an actual scene or action at the time of making the composite pictures, and that' previously taken films may be utilized, the films used during procedure on the method proper being exposed to films rather than to actual actions or scenes. Consequently wherever I speak in the following claims of exposure of a film, I do not mean that term necessarily to be-limited to original exposure, .as in a camera, but mean it also to include printing exposure.

Also it'will be readily understood that, particularly where the method is being carried on entirely with the use of previously taken films, the use of negatives and positives throughout the method may be reversed so that instead of then produce a final positive. For this reason, and also for the reason that the negatives l and 3 carry a positive as well asa negative image, I wish it understood that wherever the terms positive and nega- A claims, the usr of those terms is intended to be relative on y. l I In Fig. 6 another form of apparatus is shown in which cameras A 'and B are arranged to take light by reflection from two mirrors 10ak and 10?), mirror 10a being a totally reflective mirror and'mirror 10b being platinized to properly proportion the reflected and transmitted light. The cameras are arranged at proper distances from the mirrors to obtain equal optical distances from the subject; and, as before, they obtain upon their two films identic latent images of the subject, except that the one of these which is taken upon negative 3 (the negative with the undeveloped positive image of the background) is heavy and opaque. This negative may, for instance, be in camera, A. There is this difference, however, between the arrangement of Fig. 1 and that of Fig. 6; that in Fig. 6 the two subject images are not relatively7 reversed right for left. Thus with negative 3 the same as negative 1, and arranged with its emulsion face toward the lens in camera A, the aspect of the subject image on developed negative 3 will be the same as the aspect of the subject image on developed negative 1, because in both cases there has been reversal by reflection. But upon negative 4, which is the fresh negative put into camera B, the subject image will also be reversed right for left by reflection so that its aspect, viewed from the emulsion side of the negative, will be the same as that of negative 3. Consequently when negative 3 is printed onto negative 4, it is necessary in this case to print through the base of the film in order that the oqapue subject image of negative 3 shall mask the previously exposed but undeveloped subject image of negative 4. For this particular reason, I prefer more specifically the procedure explained in connection with l. i

In Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive is shown 1n more full detail the arrangement of apparatus for the method of Fig. 1. Here camera A is shown mounted on a base 20, slidable on rectilinear ways 21 in a direction at an angle of approximately 45O from the optical axis O of that camera. Camera B is mounted on a base 22, slidable transversely of its optical axis on ways 23. These ways 23 (see Figs. 12 and 13) are carried by a wedge member 24 supported by a complementary wedge 25 that may be slid on base 26 by the manipulation of a screw 27. Stud bolt 28 provides means for clamping wedge member 24 and wedge 25 in any adjusted position and thereby solidly setting wedge member 24, and with it base 22 and camera B, at any adjusted height. lVedge member 24 is prevented from moving lengthwise with wedge 25 by being confined endwise between end members 29 mounted on base 26. Camera B. in addition to being vertically adjustable, is adjustable lengthwise of ways .2S-at right angles to its optical axis Olby means of adjustment screws 30 which are threaded through end plates 31 attached to base 22, and which bear at their inner ends against studs 32 set in the wedge member 24. It will be readily understood how manipulation of these two screws 30 will cause lateral adjustment of camera B. The vcameras are so set that their optical axes are at substantially right angles to each other. rThis is not controlling except that the critical or best angle of reflection on the mirror is found to be about forty-five degrees; but Whatever the angle may be, the angles between the camera axes is always the same throughout the adjustments of position.

Both cameras and also the mirror mount- Y ing-are carried upon a common base or frame 35 of suitable size and shape; and this base and the mountings upon it are made sufiiciently rigid to insure the various parts being maintained accurately in desired relative positions.

The mirror carrier has two shifting adjustments and one rotary adjustment, as will be seen from a consideration of Figs. 11 and 14. A base plate 40 is set on base 35 and has in it ways 4l extending parallel to one of the camera axes. Slidable in these ways is a second base 42 that has ways 43 parallel to the other camera axis. Slidable in these ways is a third base 44 having a circular depression 45 in its upper face. A rotary head 46 rests on base 44, has a gear 47 in circular depression 45, and this gear is operated by a worm 4S so that the position of head 46 may be very accurately adjusted to adjust finely the angle of mirror l() to the two camera axes. Mirror 10 is carried in a suitable frame 49, which may be attached by screws 50 against the side face of a block 51 attached by screws 52 to head 46; and dowel pins 53 may be used to insure accurate replacement of the mirror frame always in t-he same position on block 5l. To adjust mirror 10 accurately ina vertical plane (assuming the optical axes of the cameras to be in a horizontal plane), block 51 may be accurately set on head 46 by placing lin shims under one or the other edges of the ock.

The adjustment of camera A along its di` agonal ways 21 is only for the purpose of enabling camera A to be withdrawn from proximity to the mirror and camera B when it is desired to insert or withdraw film or do any other work upon the two cameras. The operating position of camera A is indicated and limited by base 20 moving up against a stop 21a mounted on the stationary base or on lthe slideways 21. In practice it is desirable to get the two cameras as closely together as practicable when in operation, so that the size of mirror 10 may be kept at a minimum. It will be readily understood that for a given lens angle mirror 10 must be larger just in proportion as the cameras are further from it. In order to accommodate the motion of camera A to withdraw it and place it back in operative position, the driving connection between the two cameras comprises a telescoping splined shaft 55, the nature of which will be readily lunderstood.

Ion

without detailed description. This shaft also has in it a micrometer adjustment 56 shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16, and by which the relative positions of the internal mechanisms of the two cameras A and B may be accurately adjusted to be in exact synchronism. As shown in Fig. 16 part 55a of the shaft carries a worm wheel 57 and part 55?) of the shaft carries a cup 58 in which a worm 59 is mounted, the end of the worm shaft projecting as shown at 60 outside vthe cup so that the worm can be rotated to adjust 'the relative rotary positions of shaft parts 55a and 557).

At its two opposite ends shaft 55 goes into two gear mechanisms 61,which are essentially duplicates of each other, one of them being shown in detail in F ig. 17. @n the end of shaft 55 a spiral gear 62 is mounted, this .spiral gear meshing with a spiral gear 63 on a vertical shaft 64, the upper end of which carries another spiral gear 65, which meshes with spiralgear 66 on shaft 67, which shaft 67 is either the usual driving shaft of the camera or a continuation thereof. The spiral gears are preferably of one-to-one ratio throughout so that, as readily will be seen the two cameras are driven at equal speeds. For the initial drive either one or both shafts 67 may be extended as at 67 a for taking a crank or for motor connection.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the gearing mechanisms 61 is such that an axis of adjustment is afforded about the axes of vertical shafts 64 and also an axis of adjustment of the connective mechanism is afforded about the horizontal axes of shafts 67. Casing 66a can swing about shaft 67 as a center, and a swivel joint is provided at 64a where the lower end of sleeve 64b fits in casing 62a that houses gear 62. Thus adjustment movements of the cameras will not at any time bind the driving connections and, the 4cameras having once been adjusted in proper relative position and synchronism,

AAt iey may be operated freely in exact synchronous movement, exposing their two films during simultaneous periods.

The mirror being mounted as described, it may be adjusted accurately to an angle of 45 with each of the camera axes; and it may also be adjusted to or from either of the cameras so as to make the distances from the optical center of the mirror to the two cameras exactly equal. Camera B, as has been seen, may be adjusted both laterally and vertically, and by such adjustments the image on the film in camera B may be brought to a position exactly corresponding to the position of the similar image in camera A. With all these adj ustments once made, it is unnecessary thereafter to adjust either of the cameras or the mirror, except as they may accidentally be displaced. v

For the purposes of this application and its claims I shall use the word subject as denoting that element of the final composite picture which is to be placed so that it appears in front of or within the other element of the final picture; and I shall use the word background as denoting the other element, usually the surrounding scenery, etc., of the final composite picture. lt is, as I have said, indifferent whether the subject is still or in motion; and the same is true of the background. And l wish it understood that l use these terms broadly and not in any specifically limitin g sense; and further that the invention generally is not to be consideredlimited to the specific procedures and apparatus hereinbefore described, these things having only been described in detail as illustrative of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the invention thereto. lt will be understood that the invention is'not limited except as delinel ated by the following claims:

I claim:

l. rlhe process of producing a composite lphotograph that includes illuminating the sub-ject before a non-actinic ground. simultaneously exposmg two films to said subject and by light splitting causing said two` films to be exposed to ident-ic images ofthe subject, regulating the proportional amount of light thrown upon the two films so that one film is relatively over exposed, developing said over-exposed film to form thereon a substantially opaque mask image of the subject, masking the other film with said mask image, and by exposure to the desired background, combining the subject image of the second mentioned film with an image of the background. i

2. The method of producing a composite photograph that includes first exposing a film to the desired background and thus obtaining on said film a latent undeveloped image of said background, then exposing said film land another film simultaneously to a subject arranged before a non-actinic ground and by light splitting throwing upon said two films identic images of said subject, developing said first mentioned film and rendering the subject image thereon substantially opaque, masking said .second mentioned film while still undeveloped with said first mentioned film and printing from said first mentioned film onto the second mentioned film, and then developing said second mentioned lm.

3. The method of producing a composite photograph, that includes simultaneously exposing two films to a subject and 'by light splitting throwing upon said two films two identic images of the subject, the light splitting being so arranged that by reflective reversal one of said images is when viewed from the emulsion side of said film reversed right for left with' relation to the other of said images viewed from the 'emulsion side of its film, rendering one of said images opaque to form an oqapue mask image of the subject, masking the other film with said opaque image film, placing the two films emulsion to emulsion, exposing the second mentioned film to the desired background while so masked, and developing said second mentioned film.

4. rlhe method of producing a composite photograph, that includes exposing one film to one element of the composite, then exposing said film together with a fresh film simultaneously to the other element of the composite before a non-actinic ground, the exposure of the first mentioned film being such as to obtain on development an opaque silhouette image of the second mentioned element, developing the first mentioned film, printing from the first mentioned film onto the second mentioned film, and developing the second mentioned film.

5. The method of producing a composite photograph, that includes exposing one film to one element of the composite, then exposing said film together with a fresh film simultaneously to the other element of the composite before a non-actinic ground, the exposure of the first mentioned film being such as to obtain on development an opaque silhouette image of the second mentioned element, the two second-element images on the two films being relatively reversed, developing the first mentioned film, printing from the first mentioned film onto the second mentioned film, and developing the second mentioned film.

6. The method of producing a composite photograph, that includes obtaining on one film an undeveloped positive image of a background, then exposing said film together with a fresh film to the subject or action desired to be placed in said background, before a nonactinic ground, the exposure of the first mentioned film being such as to obtain on development an opaque silhouette image of the subject or action, the images of the subject or action on the two films being relatively reversed, developing the first mentioned film, printing from thc first mentioned film onto the second mentioned film, and developing the second mentioned film.

In witness that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of December, 1925.

ROY J. POMEROY. 

